Another unknown 80s frame wrap seat stays?

[Tom_85]

I've done it again and bought a random resprayed unbranded frame as i like the size, weight and lug style...it has some nice details: wrapped oversized seat stay caps, heart shape lugs and panier/rack braze ons..

Any ideas what i have here? Maybe 80's?



It has:
-68mm bb shell BSA
-26.8 seatpost
-126mm rear dropout spacing
-semi wrap oversized seat stays
-Heart shaped lug details and heart shape downtube clamp seating.
-rear rack braze ons
-fender braze ons
-comparably light like a 531c or similar.

The closest example i can find is this pic of a columbus sl stella or a Meile with similar top cluster.

The seller though it was 531c and maybe a Falcon and it is super light but i'm not sure.

Did falcon make frames with the wrapped seat stays?

I guess it could be some random custom build but seems less likely.

 

[sunympholepsy]

Hello,
Just a guess but it looks like an 1980’s Mercian to me...
I’ve recently rebuilt one for my other half and it has a lot of similar details.

 

[hamster]

26.8 seatpost would suggest it's not Reynolds 531c - maybe 531ST? That would fit with the rack and mudguard eyes.
The seatstay caps aren't filed - can anyone identify the lugs? They are identical to my 1979 Witcomb.

 

[Tom_85]

Thanks for the input!

First i've heard of Witcomb but having a quick read that would be nice if it were! and would explain the English bb.

It feels very similar weight to the 531c I did but if the difference is a few hundred grams i would struggle to confirm without taking the other to bits and weighing both.

Amyone know if the tube diameters would differ between 531st and 531c?

Thanks

 

[hamster]

According to Tony Oliver's book, 531c is 0.8/0.5mm single butted, while 531ST is 1.0/0.7mm.
Both 28.6mm OD. In his seat tube chart it recommends 27.2 for 531c and 27.0 for ST.

It looks to me as though the seat tube clamp is a little tight on your frame (the slot looks narrow), if you carefully open it up so the sides of the slot are parallel it will help decide which fits correctly. The seatpost should move smoothly in like a piston, and not rattle even when the clamp is loose.

 

[Tom_85]

Thanks hamster really useful!

I tried a 27.2 in it and its a no go. And i had a 26.8 from another that seemed to fit it perfectly. Might see if it fits with a 0.2 shim before i replace the 26.8

 

[Tom_85]

26.8 seatpost would suggest it's not Reynolds 531c - maybe 531ST? That would fit with the rack and mudguard eyes.
The seatstay caps aren't filed - can anyone identify the lugs? They are identical to my 1979 Witcomb.

Is it strange the seat stay caps are not filed? I was going to build it up and ride it for a bit beofre i decide on filling the few small dings and respraying.. if i do that can you see any problem with carefully filing them down to flush with the seat stay?

 

[pigman]

seatstay plates like yours arent normally filed. It is a plate that simply covers the top of the seatstays. Yours are longer plates that extend to form a wrapover.
The columbus frame you show as an example doesnt have plates, but caps, which is in effect a smooth plug that inserts into the stays. That columbus frame has unusual caps, in that they extend and wrap over the seat cluster.

i always preferred plates like yours instead of caps and asked for this when specifying a bespoke frame simply because they are lighter. The plug method is a solid piece of steel

 

[Tom_85]

seatstay plates like yours arent normally filed. It is a plate that simply covers the top of the seatstays. Yours are longer plates that extend to form a wrapover.
The columbus frame you show as an example doesnt have plates, but caps, which is in effect a smooth plug that inserts into the stays. That columbus frame has unusual caps, in that they extend and wrap over the seat cluster.

i always preferred plates like yours instead of caps and asked for this when specifying a bespoke frame simply because they are lighter. The plug method is a solid piece of steel

Nice explanation, I can picture that cheers!

 

[Tom_85]

Nice explanation, I can picture that cheers!

So in theory i 'could' take off a little of the excess overhang of the plate if i am careful with the angle. I just like the wrap around the seat tube i hadn't seen it before..